Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of “It’s the Small Things.” I couldn’t think of a more creative introduction for this week since my brain is currently fried from exams, speeches, career fairs, and interviews. After having such an overwhelming week myself, and knowing it was a stressful week for many people around me, I decided to make grace this week’s topic. More specifically, how to give yourself grace when something goes wrong, and boy do I have a good story for this one. 

 

Just yesterday, Penn State held its annual Architectural Engineering Career Fair. As a first year in the major, I was very excited and also required by my first-year seminar to attend. After English class, I went straight back to my room for some quick career fair prep before heading to the Bryce Jordan Center.

Image: Penn State Career Fair at the Bryce Jordan Center

While I was preparing my company notes and questions for recruiters, my brain suddenly made a very important, very late connection. The career fair ends oddly early in the day at 3:00pm. It was 2:15pm. I sprung up from my desk, immediately in a panic, and got ready as fast as possible. After overcoming a printer malfunction at my commons, I ran to the bus station near my dorm. After waiting for a few minutes—it’s now 2:25—I abandoned the hope of the bus and decided to run. When I say run, I mean run. I ran as fast as I’m able to, in my full suit, heels in hand, resumes in the other, in the drizzling rain, from my dorm to the BJC, which Google Maps says is a twenty-three-minute walk. I made it to the BJC at 2:40 and after begging the check in guy to let me in, changing into my heels, and ditching my sneakers in a random stairwell, I made it. 

 

I was able to talk to three companies, the amount required for my class, and make some good connections. So, it all worked out, but I felt so embarrassed and frustrated with myself. The rest of the day these feelings nagged at me. When you feel you made a mistake or could have done something better, it’s easy to beat yourself up. This is when it’s crucial to be able to let things go. This is when you have to learn to give yourself grace. Everybody makes mistakes. Let me say that again for all my fellow perfectionists and type As out there, everybody makes mistakes. 

Image: Affirmation Reminders to give yourself grace

So, after my chaotic and frustrating day, I let myself take a nap. It helped me get reset and relax and the rest of the day I was able to get ahead on schoolwork for the week. Your mistakes in no way define you, so find ways like this to get past them so you can move on to the next thing. I understand this is easier said than done, but just remember, you deserve some grace. 

 

Until next time, 

 

Avi